‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans during Indo-Pak Cricket match
Anti-Muslim rally in Maharashtra, shop of Muslim man demolished
New Delhi: Anti-Muslim rally was taken out which culminated into demolition of at least one shop belonging to a Muslim family in Maharashtra, India, against the alleged “Pakistan Zindabad” slogan raised during the India-Pakistan cricket match on Sunday.
According to Kashmir Media Service, tensions escalated in Malvan village of Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district, after two individuals allegedly raised slogans of “Pakistan Zindabad.” The incident occurred when Indian captain Rohit Sharma was dismissed, leading to protests and the arrest of the two individuals.
On Monday, a bike rally organised by local residents intensified the situation, urging the authorities to take action.
The rally, reportedly led by workers from various Hindutva political parties, demanded retribution, which resulted in the demolition of a Bhangar shop owned by the two men accused of the slogans. A bulldozer from the Zilla Parishad was used to destroy the business, identified as a scrap-selling operation.
Nilesh Rane, a local Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), voiced his support for the action on social media, tweeting: “A North Indian Muslim bhangar seller in Malon raised the slogan ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ during the India-Pakistan match. As a measure, we will expel them from the district, but for now, the administration has destroyed their Bhangar business, for which we are grateful to the Zilla Parishad and the police administration.”
Although the identities of the individuals involved remain unconfirmed as Hindutva activists have been involved in such incidents in the past to justify an action against Indian Muslims, MLA Rane’s tweet suggested that both were Muslims.
As the situation remains fluid, questions about the role of political influence and the appropriateness of the actions taken by the administration continue to be raised.
